BURLINGAME — The nation’s largest annual hospitals survey has again recognized Mills-Peninsula Health Services for having low mortality rates and some of the safest surgical procedures in the country.

Colorado-based HealthGrades, in an independent study to be released today, scrutinized patient care at all 5,000 nonfederal U.S. hospitals for the 12th consecutive year. The company examined nearly 40 million Medicare hospitalization records from 2006 through 2008 and ranked hospitals in 28 procedures and treatments.

Mills-Peninsula, which also has a San Mateo campus, placed in the top 10 percent of the nation in three categories: pulmonary, gastrointestinal and general surgery. Its best category was gastrointestinal surgery, which was ranked third-best in California and in the top 5 percent in the nation.

The hospital also received five-star ratings, the highest award possible, for several categories, signifying that its mortality and complication rates were noticeably lower than the national average. Mills-Peninsula received five stars for treatment in 13 categories, including heart attack, stroke and hip replacement, and many others have been awarded for several consecutive years.

Dr. Michael Wood, the hospital’s chief medical officer, said the accolades should give patients peace of mind when they come for procedures that often result in the difference between life and death.

“I think it gives them reassurance to know that the hospital that they generally go to does get that recognition from an independent organization,” he said.

Wood said the hospital has had to remain vigilant to keep its care above average, and he expects a boost when the new Burlingame campus opens in November 2010.

“Health care is a team sport. It really takes a group of people and everybody involved to provide great care,” he said.

HealthGrades had bestowed its clinical excellence award upon Mills-Peninsula for ranking among the top 5 percent of hospitals in the nation for overall clinical performance in 2008 and 2009. The award is given each January to hospitals with the nation’s lowest mortality and complications rates.

Mills is not the only local hospital that received accolades. HealthGrades gave Seton Medical Center in Daly City five-star reviews for both hip replacement and hip fracture repair, spokeswoman Courtney Conlon said.